Wichita eagle., 1887-04-07
9ai19 eagle
OUR SEALS AND COINS.
A PROTEST AGAINST NATIONAL OUT.
RACES UPON HERALDlC ART.

The Objections of Venerable Designer.
His Reasons Why-The Bald Headed
Eagle in His Absurd Poses-An Appro-
pirate Device.
~. Goldsborough BrufF,'' as he signs
himself, has invited the attention of con-
gress to the unprecedented Irregularities
and ''absurditcs' OF the heraldic devices
adopted for seals and coins by this go yern-
ment.
Mr.. Bruff explains that owing to lack
Of knowledge this government made a false
start. The art OF heraldry was unknown
in this country infancy, he says, and stand
ard works were unattainable. SIN conse-
quence thereof the new republic was unable
to obtain a proper device for its national
signet until July 90, 1882, and the device
then adopted of admirable symbolism, is
baseless fabric not being blazoned upon an
escutcheon or shield, and hence we have
never had national escutcheon Of heraldic
arms, unprecedented in the annals Of her.
aldry. Being thus deprived of that basis.
the requisite Of all heraldic achievements,
the government utilized a subcharge of the
arms proper, and as popularity denominated
the national shield or escutcheon, which It
Is not nor ever can be.
Having no genuine escutcheon, no basis
or standard to start with, this government
has gradually collected an accumulation OF
designs which Mr. Bruff characterizes as
''ranging from Indifferent and peculiar to
absurd" He goes on to say:
GAN nations OF the civilized world save
our own have enstamped upon their gold
and silver coinage the true heraldic arms Of
their individual sovereignty, and with strict
numismatic propriety exclude irrelevant,
fanciful IDEAS. The American bald eagle
is displayed in every conceivable attitude
and position, ard degenerated to numerous
species of the United States mint genius.
FREE AND EASY ART
''The peculiar style of distributing the
elements OF the national arms over the faces
of the coin, including notices and legends
unregardful Of significant propriety, is o re-
markable art exhibition of the genius of our
free institutions. Compare tho dignified
pforS5Hty represented in the devices upon
some u the earlier coinage: Observe, q
classic bust with legend liberty and re-
verse, the national arms as adopted which
compare with the handsome female head
hlietei Liberty though crowned with
grain, etc, as if also to represent the god
deSS Ceres or Abundance doubtless a multi
fold genius as the motto overhead would in
hmate, & pluribus unum' Upon close ex,
animation a small cap is seem amid the
Redundant rinSlets, apparently falling of.
ReVerSe, cruciied eagle severely dis
played, minus the eScutcheon OF his breast
or the eagle volant without its appropriate
motto, 'Excelsior). As though disguised |
with his viclSSltude and general bad treat |
ment by the ruling powers he has discarded |
his shield OF the Union, olive branch and |
three arrows typical we suppose of thirteen) |
and ascends to the starry regions of purity
ana truth (The square, heavy perspective
is good, but why extend his legs, as storks
and herons do9
TIE MAD EAGLE.
''ln another Issue an enraged eagle has
discovered the discarded American shield |
PROSTATE in the weeds, and having picked
up the arrows and branch pounces upon the
debased eScutcheon, defiantly warning off
the deSpoiiers. Notices become legends.
and legends notices. The Goddess of Lib |
erty, daily labeled, rests herself upon rock,
with staff and cap and escutclieon, but
looks back apprehensive of some mishap.
This is another phase of the ever VARYING
obversc. Reverse of which may lie one
variety (therc are several Of thcm) of the
~'~'-N |
tended, and sinister or left, nearly closed
and vertical, and the usual distribution OF
stars, motto, etc. The latest abs3irdity, so
puritanical, not in keeping with
the times, unauthorized by enactment, is the
Gothic legend between the wings of the cru
Gifted eagle Of In God we trust
Soar patriotic fathers put their trust in
God and kept their powder dry. Oliver
Cromwell had engraved upon some bronze
guns Teach us to shower forth thy praise,
Q, Lord Too lengthy for our CON- but so
applied more beneiicent-in diffusion of |
wealth. The most appropriately consistent
device for establishment Of the coin of our
country would be-obverse: A bust of the ,
laureated head OF the Father of His Coun-
try, with motto of Liberty. Reverse: The
precise heraldic arms of the United States
of America, and no other stellar ornament
than tho constellation crest, and no other
legend than the title, value and date and /,
motto of arms. Such would be creditable to ,
our nationality, and place Us among the
most favored nations OF Christendom. -